Simple Changes to Help You Overcome IBS

Simple Changes to Help You Overcome IBS

Have you been told you have IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) but not really sure what that means?

Are you struggling to find relief from your IBS symptoms?

Have you been told this is something you will just have to learn to live with or been offered medications with unwanted side effects?

In this post we will talk about IBS, its symptoms, and some possible lifestyle and dietary changes that can bring you relief.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common disorder that is characterized by abdominal pain, bloating, gas, diarrhea and constipation. It can often be made worse by eating certain foods, stress, and poor sleep. IBS is more common in women and the symptoms can fluctuate with the menstrual cycle. IBS, unlike inflammatory bowel disorder such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, doesn’t cause changes in bowel tissue or increase your risk of colorectal cancer. It can, however, cause severe symptoms and lead to chronic pain, debility, and decreased quality of life.

These are the most common symptoms of IBS:

You may have suffered with IBS symptoms for years. You have likely undergone extensive testing including imaging studies of the abdomen, lab testing, and a colonoscopy. Typically, these tests are normal and you are left to manage the symptoms with medications. In conventional medicine IBS is considered idiopathic which means the cause is not known, and treatment options are focused on managing the symptoms with prescription drugs.